How to Apply Gimp to a Chair

Gimp is a fabric trim used to cover the raw edges of upholstery fabric.

Gimp is a kind of braided trim made from cotton, silk or worsted that can add an attractive detail to a variety of projects. In upholstering, though, gimp is typically used to hide the raw edges of fabric. If you're repairing or reupholstering a chair, for instance, you can use gimp trim to hide and seal the fabric edge around chair legs or seats. The placement of the gimp varies depending upon the design of your chair. In the past, tacks were used for gimp, but hot glue works equally well.

1

Put a dab of glue on the underside of one end of the gimp and fold it under. This hides and seals the raw edge onto the back of the gimp.

2

Take the end of the gimp that you just turned over and put a dab of glue on the back, towards the folded end. Place it against the seam or area of the chair fabric that you want to cover. Start someplace inconspicuous to hide this end of the gimp; the back of the chair, underside of the chair, bottom of an arm where a cushion goes and the backs of legs work particularly well. Hold the gimp in place until the glue has set.

3

Run a small line of glue along the back of the gimp, going a few inches at a time. Press the gimp to the chair immediately after application. It's important to place it precisely the first time; hot glue is difficult or impossible to remove from fabric, so while you can peel up the gimp if needed, the glue ends up still in the fabric. Use enough glue that the gimp sticks easily, but not so much that it spills beyond the edges.

4

Continue until you have covered the desired area. When you reach the start of your line of gimp, cut the end of the gimp so that there is about 1/2 inch of extra gimp. Put a dab of glue on the underside of the gimp and fold it under, just like you did at the start, then glue it down to the chair. Repeat the entire process until you have covered all of the necessary areas on the chair.

Things You Will Need

Measuring tape

Gimp

Hot glue gun

Hot glue sticks

Scissors

Tip

Glue guns tend to drip glue from the tip as the glue melts. Place something underneath the gun if you need to protect your workspace. Mats designed for this specific purpose are available.

Some guns have variable settings; a high setting will give you a longer working time, while a lower setting is less likely to hurt if you accidentally get glue on yourself.

Warning

Be careful when using hot glue. You can burn yourself with the melted glue or by touching the tip while it is hot.